"This is not the Cameron Brown trial"

Before beginning the process of weeding through potential jurors to find those who would serve on the Brandon Manai cliff death trial, Torrance Superior Court Judge James Brandlin read the would-be panelists a brief summary of the case. So as to avoid any confusion with another high-profile cliff-death case, Brandlin began by telling them this was not that one.

Manai, accused of killing his wife of 13 days, Julia Rosas, in July 2005, is charged with murder. At his preliminary hearing several years ago, it was revealed that he had confessed to his friend while sitting at a Redondo Beach Pier eatery and pointing to the cliffs to the south.

Opening statements are today, followed by the first witnesses. Check the Daily Breeze and dailybreeze.com later for my coverage.